Stroke

Providing Hope through Award-winning Care

Stroke can cause a range of disabilities – from problems walking and balancing to memory disturbances and even paralysis – but thanks to advances in treatment and rehabilitation, the outlook for stroke patients today is more hopeful than ever before.

At Baptist Health, our physicians and staff work as an interdisciplinary team, partnering with patients and their families to provide the best possible care. Through a range of progressive services, we help patients return to their communities, while also helping their families adjust to their diagnosis and any permanent impairments.

The Highest Standard of Care

We work to provide each patient with the latest, most effective treatment – a commitment that has earned Baptist Health-Little Rock and Baptist Health-Fort Smith the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers. Less than 1% of all hospitals in the United States have received this certification.

Primary Stroke Center certification designates hospitals with advanced technology, infrastructure, staff and training to receive and treat patients of all ages with all types of strokes. In addition to being prepared to treat all types of strokes quicker than non-certified hospitals, we offer:

24/7 stroke team access

Advanced imaging technology and protocols

Seamless integration with the ER

In addition to Primary Stroke Center certification, each hospital has also received additional awards. Both Baptist Health-Little Rock and Baptist Health-Fort Smith have been given the Get With the Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, while Baptist Health-Fort Smith has also been named a “Top Stroke Center” by the American Heart Association.

Recognizing a Stroke

Symptoms

Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body

Confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding

Problems with vision such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes

Dizziness or problems with balance or coordination

Problems with movement or walking

Severe headaches with no other known cause

Remember, BE FASTBE FAST is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. When you can spot the signs, you’ll know when you need to call 9-1-1 for help. The sooner the person having a stroke receives medical care, the better their chances of survival and recovery will be.

BE FAST stands for:Balance – Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?

Eyes – Is there double vision or sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes?

Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?

Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?

Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.